MP pushes for third telecom player

Malawians could soon have another option for mobile and internet services as fresh calls emerge to open up the country’s telecommunications market and ease the burden of high costs and poor network quality.

Rumphi Central Member of Parliament Mathews Mtumbuka has urged the government to bring in a credible third mobile network operator, saying increased competition is the best way to reduce the cost of calls and internet bundles while improving service delivery.

Speaking during question time in Parliament, Mtumbuka said Malawi’s telecommunications market has changed little since TNM and Airtel entered the industry in the 1990s, when the country’s population stood at about 10 million.

He said Malawi now has nearly 23 million people but continues to depend on only two mobile network operators.

Mtumbuka proposed for the third telecoms

Mtumbuka noted that the availability of shared infrastructure, including towers owned by Helios Towers, has made it much easier for a new operator to establish a network than it was in the past.

He said previous efforts to introduce additional operators failed because Malawi did not attract established international companies.

Mtumbuka suggested the government should target recognised global brands such as MTN, Orange or Vodafone to create meaningful competition that would benefit consumers through lower tariffs and improved services.

Responding in the House, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba agreed that Malawi needs a credible third operator and announced that the government will soon invite bids from interested investors.

Namalomba said President Arthur Peter Mutharika has authorised the ministry to begin identifying a serious investor capable of rolling out a mobile network without unnecessary delays.

He said the move follows widespread complaints from Malawians over poor network coverage, dropped calls and the high cost of mobile services.

The minister acknowledged that foreign exchange shortages have affected the ability of existing operators to import equipment and expand their networks.

However, he said bringing another player into the market would increase competition, improve service delivery and make digital services more affordable.

Namalomba also revealed that some previous licence holders failed to launch operations after acquiring spectrum, forcing the government to revoke the licences before becoming involved in court battles.

He said the government is determined to avoid repeating that experience by selecting an investor with the financial strength and technical capacity to successfully establish and operate the country’s third mobile network.